‘Waqf Land Used For Maha Kumbh?’ Islamic Cleric Fires Salvo, Hindu Seers React – News18

Last Updated:January 05, 2025, 19:53 IST

In a video message, Barelvi said that 55 bighas of waqf land are being used for the Hindu religious event.

Held every 12 years, the Maha Kumbh will be organised in Prayagraj from January 13 to February 26.(PTI)

Islamic cleric and President of the All India Muslim Jamat, Maulana Shahabuddin Razvi Barelvi fired a fresh salvo by claiming that the upcoming Prayagraj’s Maha Kumbh event is being held on land owned by the Waqf Board.

In a video message, Barelvi said that 55 bighas of waqf land are being used for the Hindu religious event. He further said that the Muslimas of Prayagraj have shown a large heart by not grudging the use of waqf land for the Maha Kumbh.

However, the cleric said that instead of reciprocating the secular sense, there were repeated calls being made for Muslims to keep away from the Maha Kumbh.

“Such calls have indeed been made. The All India Akhara Parishad has asked not only for a ban on the entry of Muslims but also asked that no non-Sanatanis be given permission to set up stalls in the mela area. They have also asked devotees and attendees not to give any business to Muslims,” he said in the video message.

Barelvi further urged that the Hindus should display the same large-heartedness that Muslims did. “They (Muslims) have not raised any objections over the 55 bigha of waqf land being used for the Kumbh”, he said.

VHP, Hindu Seers React

However, Hindu leaders have rejected the Maulana’s claims. Hindu Mahasabha President Swami Chakrapani Maharaj said that Barelvi must be sponsored by Pakistan and ‘people with a terrorist mindset’. He said that the cleric is making a malicious attempt to disturb the Maha Kumbh, and his statements should be investigated.

‘I believe that immediate action should be taken against people who spoil the atmosphere in this way. FIR should be registered against them and they should be arrested. If such people are out, they will keep talking such nonsense and spoil the atmosphere of the country,’ Chakrapani Maharaj said.

Hindu religious leader Sadhvi Rithambara said that no politics should happen on Maha Kumbh. “Those who divided the country based on religion, they are capturing the India’s land with the conspiracy of waqf, this conspiracy should be stopped… no politics is happening (regarding Maha Kumbh), it is a place to get ‘Dharam’ and ‘punya’…” she said as quoted by ANI.

VHP national spokesperson Vinod Bansal said, “…The ‘Namazwadi Party’ and the ‘Namazwadi Gang’ – one is saying that conversions are taking place, while the other is claiming that it (Mahakumbh) is being organised on Waqf Board land. This Kumbh has been organised since the time Islam did not exist. This exposes the Waqf Board… I think all of the Maulanas are following the line of Jinnah and what he said – ‘lad ke liya Pakistan, has kar lenge Hindustan’. The dream of Ghazwa-e-Hind will remain just a dream and if you keep saying such absurd things, the result will be negative for you…”

Cleric Fears Mass Conversion, Writes To CM Yogi

The All India Muslim Jamat President also wrote to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressing his fear that mass conversions of Muslims would take place during the mega event.

Barelvi, earlier came into spotlight for advising Muslims not to visit the Maha Kumbh, urged the Chief Minsiter to “thwart plans” to convert hundreds of Muslims during the event.

Barelvi, had earlier termed the alleged demand to bar Muslims from visiting the Kumbh “undemocratic” and “unconstitutional”, said that he had advised the Muslims not to go to Maha Kumbh as the Akhara Parishad and Naga seers held a meeting in November last year, where they talked about banning Muslims from setting up shops at the fair premises.

Barelvi had claimed he received information from reliable sources about plans to convert Muslims during the religious event, according to news agency PTI.

“Now it is the responsibility of the state government to act on this,” he added.

Islamic Leaders Flag Seers’ Demand To Bar Muslims

Other Islamic leaders have also flagged the alleged demand raised by some Hindu seers’ body to keep Muslims out of the mega gathering.

Last year, the Akhil Bharatiya Akhada Parishad (ABAP) had allegedly given a call to procure goods for the Maha Kumbh exclusively from Hindu shopkeepers to ensure that purchases were made solely from the true followers of Sanatan Dharma.

Maulana Kaab Rashidi, legal advisor to the Uttar Pradesh unit of Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind, said perhaps this is the first time that Muslims are at the centre of discussions before the biggest religious gathering of Hindus.

On the alleged demand to keep Muslims away from the event, Rashidi said, “Such calls violate the rights enshrined in the Constitution because India is known all over the world as a secular country. So, talking about banning Muslims from Maha Kumbh is like crushing the soul of the Constitution.”

“If a festival or a gathering like the Maha Kumbh is seen through the prism of religion, the country will move on the wrong path. Muslims are an integral part of the country. How can they be kept away from the world’s largest gathering of faith,” Rashidi asked.

Maulana Yasoob Abbas, general secretary of the All India Shia Personal Law Board, said, “If a Muslim goes to Maha Kumbh to increase his knowledge, what’s the harm in it? Islam is not so weak that a person of the faith will be in danger just by attending a fair or by visiting a place of worship.”

Meanwhile, Maulana Khalid Rashid Farangi Mahli, a senior member of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board and president of the Islamic Centre of India, said the centre will not issue any advisory on Muslims attending the Maha Kumbh.

Maha Kumbh 2025

Held every 12 years, the Maha Kumbh will be organised in Prayagraj from January 13 to February 26. Prayagraj is estimated to have 40 to 45 crore visitors during the Maha Kumbh.

The government said the Mela Authority is enthusiastically preparing for the arrival, stay and spiritual needs of the devotees.

“Shopkeepers in the Sangam and Mela areas are stocking up on essential religious items, including puja materials, patra-panchang, Rudraksh, Tulsi garlands and sacred texts, sourced from Nepal, Varanasi and Mathura-Vrindavan,” the government said.

(With inputs from PTI)

Location :

Prayagraj, India